Topical Bible: The Jews: Promises Respecting Made to Isaac

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The promises made to Isaac are a continuation of the covenantal assurances given to his father, Abraham, and are pivotal in understanding the divine plan for the Jewish people. These promises are foundational to the identity and destiny of the Israelites, as they underscore God's unchanging faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive purposes through the lineage of Isaac.

Divine Covenant with Isaac

The covenantal promises to Isaac are first articulated in Genesis 17:19-21, where God assures Abraham that his wife Sarah will bear a son, Isaac, and that God will establish His covenant with Isaac as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. This promise is significant as it confirms that the covenantal blessings and responsibilities initially given to Abraham will be perpetuated through Isaac.

In Genesis 26:2-5, the Lord appears to Isaac and reiterates the promises made to Abraham, emphasizing the continuity of the covenant. The Lord instructs Isaac not to go down to Egypt but to dwell in the land He will show him, promising, "I will be with you and bless you, for to you and your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham" (Genesis 26:3). This assurance of land, blessing, and divine presence underscores the special relationship between God and Isaac's descendants.

Blessing and Multiplication

The promise of blessing and multiplication is a recurring theme in God's dealings with Isaac. In Genesis 26:24, the Lord appears to Isaac at Beersheba and reaffirms, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham" . This promise not only assures Isaac of God's protection and favor but also highlights the multiplication of his offspring, which is integral to the fulfillment of God's plan for the Jewish people.

Inheritance of the Land

The inheritance of the land is a central aspect of the promises made to Isaac. The land of Canaan is repeatedly affirmed as the inheritance of Isaac's descendants. In Genesis 26:3-4, God promises, "I will give all these lands to you and your descendants, and I will establish the oath I swore to your father Abraham" . This promise is a reaffirmation of the land grant initially given to Abraham, ensuring that Isaac's lineage will possess the land as a perpetual inheritance.

Covenantal Faithfulness

The promises to Isaac are not only about blessings and land but also about God's covenantal faithfulness. In Genesis 26:5, God explains the reason for His blessings: "because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws" . This underscores the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands as a condition for the continuation of the covenantal blessings.

Isaac's Role in the Covenant

Isaac's role in the covenant is crucial as he serves as the link between Abraham and Jacob, through whom the promises will continue to unfold. The promises made to Isaac are not only personal but also have a corporate dimension, affecting the entire nation of Israel. Isaac's faith and obedience are instrumental in the transmission of the covenantal promises to future generations.

In summary, the promises respecting the Jews made to Isaac are a reaffirmation and continuation of the Abrahamic Covenant. They encompass blessings, multiplication, land inheritance, and the assurance of God's presence and faithfulness. These promises are integral to the identity and destiny of the Jewish people, as they highlight God's sovereign plan and His unwavering commitment to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and their descendants.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 26:2-5,24
And the LORD appeared to him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell you of:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Promises of the Law and the Gospel Reconciled.
... after premising that he and the other Jews, aware that ... us, so the end of all the
promises of mercy ... argue that what Paul contends for respecting faith applies ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 the promises of.htm

The Kingdom Given to the Saints at the Resurrection of the Just.
... same import is the prophecy of Daniel, respecting the time ... faith of Abraham will
participate in the same promises. ... So the Saviour said to the Jews: "Many shall ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the kingdom given to the.htm

The Bible in the Days of Jesus Christ
... as containing the commandments and promises of God ... do what the Levites told them
respecting the Law ... away the difficulty, amazed and confounded the learned Jews. ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter viii the bible in.htm

On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... law was an insupportable burden, which "neither the Jews nor their ... excellence, as
being the completion of the promises, (Galatians 3 ... 1.) Respecting the accident ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... kingdoms existing at the time of the birth of, [5]321; the repeated promises of
the ... Achior, his answer to Holofernes' inquiry respecting the Jews, [26]319. ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Jews, the, typified by Cain, [446]186-[447]188; their ... his kingdom of light,
[530]135; promises knowledge, [531 ... 245; did he change his opinions respecting Christ ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /index of subjects.htm

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... Jews, unless their erroneous ideas respecting the Messiah ... The Jews who examined their
ancient Scriptures with ... who was first revealed in promises, types, and ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xix paul and silas.htm

Texts Explained; Thirdly...
... new, the Apostle deals freely with the Jews, writing and ... the hope in Him; and also
the promises through Him ... so understood, it is parallel also respecting the Son ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter xiii texts explained thirdly.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... in the letter." [2932] For if the judgment respecting the "Jew ... so also is there a
race of "Jews inwardly," the ... signs, then they to whom the promises are made ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... astonished that God should assure us, by so many precious promises, that he ... But I
come now to give a few practical directions respecting the exercise ... The Jews. ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm